21Alizard Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 The scene on the morning of the 15th Jan 2015, looks like the wagons will not be making 6M51 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted February 22, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2015 I've copied these posts form the 'Cornwall Today' thread: I do know about the plan to use Class 70s on the Devon timber traffic from now on, though... Teingrace has been knocked on the head now as far as the timber is concerned. Its all being loaded from Riverside instead. I gather part of the reason for the change was the sea wall problem 12 months ago plus Riverside is easier access for the lorries aswel. There is still 2 or 3 train loads of timber at Teignbridge, which will be worked away over the coming weeks by Class 70-hauled trains, special dispensation is in the process of being arranged (the relevant engineers having already given their permission last week). After that it will all go from Riverside Yard, the large stacks of timber there next to No.10 Road being evidence of that. The only reason advised to me for moving to Riverside is the ability to run longer trains. Teignbridge is limited to 16 wagons (any more and you have to split the train into three parts), plus you are limited to an absolute maximum of 18 wagons to run round at Newton Abbot station without locking everything up - I know because we did a special trial one cold and damp morning! The problems at Dawlish were not really a key factor in the decision to move. We proved that we could mobilise to Riverside quickly when the chips were down, and perhaps that gave them a taste for what Riverside could offer. So it looks like the Heathfield line is destined to return to it's disused status again . I have to wonder why the line was originally reopened if Riverside yard has proved to be a better location, it seems that the traffic has outgrown the facility, but it's been an interesting interlude all the same. I can't imagine any other traffic being generated by the line but I'd love to be proved wrong! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks Rich, for moving this. It will be a shame if thus branch gets lost for good. Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted February 24, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2015 I have to wonder why the line was originally reopened if Riverside yard has proved to be a better location, it seems that the traffic has outgrown the facility, but it's been an interesting interlude all the same. Well, it was opened because at the time, it was an ideal spot to stockpile and load timber, and it fitted the bill nicely. As time has passed, it has become clear that the length limitations of the Teignbridge site is restricting the length of the trains that can be operated. You can load a maximum of 8 bogie timber wagons at a time at Teignbridge, and that's with splitting the train due to the level crossing. The space to run round between fixed signals at Newton Abbot is another limitation. You can run 17 wagons round easily enough, and 18 if a careful shunting procedure is followed, but no more. The customer wish to run longer trains than that, in order to safeguard the longer-term viability of the flow, and since the traffic started, an opportunity to do this at Riverside has arisen, which is now being taken. I can't imagine any other traffic being generated by the line but I'd love to be proved wrong! Never say 'never', Rich! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted February 24, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2015 Like the optimism! I notice you refer to Teignbridge rather than Teigngrace, is that they official name? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted February 25, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 25, 2015 Like the optimism! I notice you refer to Teignbridge rather than Teigngrace, is that they official name? Teignbridge is the official name of the level crossing and timber loading area. Teigngrace Halt was just a bit further along. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
21Alizard Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Ballast working to Heathfield with Colas 70804 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 That should tidy things up a bit - good! Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Morris Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Why ballast when there's no more traffic? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 After Beeching's time and probably before, there were occasions when lines were upgraded, new sleepers, ballast, etc, and then closed. Hopefully history will not repeat itself here. Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted March 31, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2015 Why ballast when there's no more traffic? I don't actually know. There weren't supposed to be any ballast trains there... I will ask some questions. The final timber train is running down to Teignbridge tomorrow afternoon, and departing back for Chirk on Thursday morning, after that there should be no more, all traffic concentrated in Riverside Yard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 After Beeching's time and probably before, there were occasions when lines were upgraded, new sleepers, ballast, etc, and then closed. Hopefully history will not repeat itself here. Brian. The same situation often occurred in other industries; the sudden ministrations of the painters often indicated approaching doom.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hi all, (very) long time lurker here. Having followed this thread since it's inception its such a shame to learn that this branch is likely to again become mothballed. I remember following the course of the line from Jetty Marsh to Teignbridge siding with school back in 1999 and Ive had a keen interest in it ever since. I really hope this doesnt signal the end of the Heathfield Branch; it seems that it has a lot to offer local people and local businesses but it rarely seems to get considered. Think I might pop down to Teignbridge this evening for one (final?!) look at a train on this line. Thanks everyone for all the info and pictures I'm sure there's life still left in the line! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted April 1, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2015 The log train is on it's way and is a few mins early passing Dawlish Warren. It will run round at Newton Abbot from 1506 to 1526, run to Heathfield and run round there and return to berth the wagons at Teignbridge. The loco will probably stable in the former 'Platform 9' at Newton Abbot station overnight and run back to collect the train tomorrow morning. The final run round at Newton Abbot with the loaded train is from 0908 to 0928. The train will then call into Riverside Yard to collect some loaded timber wagons from there, and then proceed onwards. Planned departure time from Riverside tomorrow is 1231 hrs. The ballast train in the previous photo ran on 23rd March, and was a routine ballast drop, planned some time before the changes to the timber traffic would have been known about. However, just remember that mothballing doesn't have to be a bad thing. The line was mothballed a few years ago, and then came out of hibernation for the timber traffic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 There's nothing like the smell of camphor to awaken a dormant branch line. Geoff Endacott 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 There's nothing like the smell of camphor to awaken a dormant branch line. Geoff Endacott And I thought the bloke sitting opposite me on the train into exeter St.Davids earlier today was sucking on a Fishermans Friend until I looked out of the window into Riverside Yard ! Half a forest being loaded up !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Hi all, There's going to be a HST running down the Heathfield branch from Buckfastleigh on 10th October. More info can be found here: http://www.branchline.org.uk/events.php Finally I will get to travel down the Heathfield branch line 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 26, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 26, 2015 There's a sprinter running down there before that, on Friday 02/10/15. A special charter train operated by FGW GWR on behalf of the Community Rail organisation (who will have had a conference in Torquay the day before). The same charter is going to Okehampton and Plymouth Friary, amongst other places. I believe that a green sprinter has been requested, but I can't confirm this. In fact, there's also a sprinter special from Torquay to Kingswear on Wednesday night next week. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Thanks Captain Kernow. Any idea what time the sprinter will be arriving at Heathfield on Friday 2nd October please? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 2mmMark Posted September 26, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 26, 2015 There's nothing like the smell of camphor to awaken a dormant branch line. Geoff Endacott Yes. it's a shame Camphor Coaches were phased out. And I thought the bloke sitting opposite me on the train into exeter St.Davids earlier today was sucking on a Fishermans Friend until I looked out of the window into Riverside Yard ! Half a forest being loaded up !!! Please can we have a "fnarr, smirk" button? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 26, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 26, 2015 Thanks Captain Kernow. Any idea what time the sprinter will be arriving at Heathfield on Friday 2nd October please? Thanks. I'll check when I'm back at work. The HST on Sat 10th October will be running there twice during the day, also two trips to Buckfastleigh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 There's a sprinter running down there before that, on Friday 02/10/15. A special charter train operated by FGW GWR on behalf of the Community Rail organisation (who will have had a conference in Torquay the day before). The same charter is going to Okehampton and Plymouth Friary, amongst other places. I believe that a green sprinter has been requested, but I can't confirm this. In fact, there's also a sprinter special from Torquay to Kingswear on Wednesday night next week. So why am I living half the world away? Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted September 26, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 26, 2015 I hope if a new green G.W.R. HST is used on the Heathfield line, that it doesn't get too many scratches! There was a lot of overhanging trees when we did the Christmas trip last year.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 28, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 28, 2015 The Sprinter on Friday will arrive at Heathfield at 1645 hrs and depart at 1700 hrs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Thanks Captain Kernow! Be nice to think that one day there could be a daily sprinter service from Heathfield to Newton Abbot/Exeter/Torbay running commuters, locals and tourists back and forth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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